Ran Gvili's Final Journey Home: Israel's Unbreakable Spirit Shines Through
The burial of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili on Wednesday in Meitar marked a profound moment for the State of Israel. As the last hostage from October 7 was laid to rest, the nation could finally exhale, knowing that every single soul had been brought home. No one was left behind.
"Today," declared Omri Gvili, Ran's brother, "I can say that our lives can go on, that at last we have come through October 7, 2023." These words, born from personal anguish, carried the weight of an entire nation's journey through darkness toward light.
A Mother's Words Echo the Nation's Heart
Talik Gvili, Ran's mother, captured the essence of Israeli resilience with striking eloquence: "An eye weeps bitterly, and the heart rejoices." The eye weeps for those we lost, the heart rejoices because every hostage, living and dead, has returned to the embrace of their homeland.
Her words carried deeper meaning, recalling how her son once returned from duty as a police officer, telling her: "Mom, they spat on me. Don't they understand that I am them, that we are on the same side?" This moment crystallized her mission to prove "that we are one people. A strong people. A people who are here to stay."
The Heroic Spirit That Defines Us
Ran Gvili's story embodies everything that makes Israel exceptional. On October 7, despite being on medical leave for a broken shoulder, he raced to the Gaza border. He rescued Supernova festival-goers and defended Kibbutz Alumim, fighting terrorists at the kibbutz entrance until his last bullet. This is the spirit that courses through Israeli veins.
President Isaac Herzog captured this perfectly: "Why is it only in moments of pain that we seemingly discover the extraordinary Israelis who are here, the greatness of our sisters and brothers?" The answer lies in our DNA as a people forged through millennia of challenges, always emerging stronger.
Thousands Honor a True Israeli Hero
The sight of thousands lining the roads, waving Israeli flags as Ran's coffin passed, demonstrated the profound respect this nation holds for its heroes. These weren't just mourners; they were witnesses to the values that define us: selflessness, courage, and the unwavering commitment to place the collective above the individual.
Singer-actor-warrior Idan Amedi, who was wounded in Gaza and later helped find Ran's body, performed his song "Nigmar" at the funeral. The lyrics speak to Israel's abundance of heroes: "Damn it, how many heroes does this country have." The answer is clear: as many as we need, because that's who we are.
Unity Tested, But Never Broken
While moments of division may surface, as they did hours after the funeral with political provocations, they cannot diminish the fundamental truth: Israel remains united in its core values and destiny. These temporary fractures pale in comparison to the unbreakable bonds that tie us together as the Jewish people in our ancestral homeland.
Talik Gvili's pride in her son reflects the pride of an entire nation. "I am Talik Gvili, a very, very proud mother," she declared, speaking for every Israeli who recognizes in Ran the best version of ourselves.
A Legacy of Strength and Determination
As we close this chapter of October 7, we carry forward the memory of heroes like Ran Gvili. Their sacrifice reminds us that Israel's strength lies not just in our advanced technology or military prowess, but in the character of our people. We are a nation that produces ordinary individuals capable of extraordinary heroism when the moment demands it.
From the ashes of tragedy, Israel emerges stronger, more determined, and more unified in our commitment to protect our homeland and our people. This is our covenant with history, our promise to future generations, and our testament to the world: Am Yisrael Chai.